Time for (another) Change: Goodbye Animals, Hello Plants

I would not be unusual to start off the day with a chicken fried steak (with gravy of course) and three eggs. Follow that up with a massive cheeseburger for lunch and then grill a nice fatty 16 ounce rib eye for dinner. A big bowl of ice cream as a dessert chaser.

Just typing that menu sounds delightful.

Yesterday I became a vegan.

Yes, THAT vegan. The type of vegan that has a bunch of memes like:

Yesterday I went cold turkey…or cold tofurkey…I’m not really sure yet how to speak like a vegan…lol

vēɡən/ veg·an

noun

1.

a person who does not eat or use animal products.

“I’m a strict vegan”

adjective

2.

using or containing no animal products:

“a vegan diet”

So no more meat, dairy, honey…anything that comes from something with a face, I think.

I suppose the question I’ve gotten the most from people is, “Why?”

Understandable.

First off, we watched that Netflix documentary What the Health. If you have seen it you were probably as disturbed as I was. Sure, there were things that were definitely…umm…a little over the top and overacted. There have also been plenty of articles debunking some of what was presented.

Regardless, what it did do was open my mind to doing my own research on the health benefits of a plant-based culinary lifestyle.

Based on the menu of my lifestyle I mentioned earlier, it should be clear that I am not healthy. The timing was perfect since I had to go to the VA and have some new labs tested, so I figured I could try this for four weeks and see if there was a difference. Four weeks should be manageable, right?

The first thing my physician said was four weeks wasn’t going to be enough time to see a difference in my lab results, so now I had to try this 180 degree food change for six weeks.

When my lab results were back, I’m a mess. Super high cholesterol and sugar. High risk for every side effect you see on those late night commercials.

Except for having an erection that lasts for more than four hours.

So, the path has been set. For at least the next six weeks it’s all plant-based foods.

I’ll post some of the recipes we make and some of the vegan products that I found to be enjoyable. I will also talk about the detox (if I have it), and how I’m feeling, including weight loss and other side effects I have.

I’ll also be sure to respond to any questions that get sent my way about how I’m doing, so don’t be shy about commenting.

“Contrariwise,' continued Tweedledee, 'if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass